Province Consults on Working Conditions for Temporary Employees

A discussion paper released today, May 28, will help provide insight into conditions that face people who work for temporary employment agencies.

Submissions are being sought until June 30 on workplace practices, access to information on worker's rights and other concerns.

"Temporary workers can be vulnerable, often not aware of protections available to them under the Labour Standards Code or having the confidence to exercise their rights," said Labour and Workforce Development Minister Marilyn More.

Workers that employment agencies place with clients for temporary assignments face unique challenges. For example, the contract between the agency and the client may contain clauses that act as barriers to hiring the worker on a full-time basis. As well, because of the lack of stability in their employment, temporary workers may also be reluctant to exercise their rights for fear of fewer assignments or dismissal.

The paper discusses whether there should be a licensing system for employment agencies and whether the law that prohibits them from charging fees to employees for a job placement should be updated.

The discussion paper is available at http://gov.ns.ca/lwd/ and comments can be provided by e-mail, fax, a written submission, or by phone.